College Press Publishing

The book of Acts is pivotal not only in our understanding of the events which established the Church of Jesus Christ, but also for providing a connecting link between the four Gospels and the Epistles of the New Testament. Without this record or knowledge of how the message of Jesus Christ came to be a missionary plea to the whole world would be severely weakened.

Acts opens with a statement from Jesus which seems to set the tone for the entire work. Jesus promises the apostles that they will receive power in the form of the Holy Spirit. He then tells them that they will be his "witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (NIV). This theme of being a witness for the gospel is carried throughout the book of Acts.

As the witnesses for Christ carried the gospel toward the far reaches of the world, the church advanced everywhere. This theme is also important in Acts. The expansion of the church is presented in a historical context.

While Acts emphasizes that the apostles received the power of the Spirit (1:8), it also emphasizes how they used this power. They faithfully bore witness for Christ.

In this commentary our approach is not only to highlight the theological implications of Luke's narrative, but also to recognize its value as a resource document regarding the history of the early church. Our confidence rests in Luke's abilities as a historian and in the promise of the Lord to direct his servants into all truth.

As the reader begins this study, my prayer is that the truth of Acts will bear much fruit. May God "open a door" for his Word so that it may be proclaimed faithfully by his servants no matter what the opposition (Col. 4:3).

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About the Author...

Dennis C. Gaertner, Ph.D., is professor of New Testament at Johnson Bible College and minister of Meadowbrook Christian Church in Johnson City, Tennessee. Dr. Gaertner holds the B.R.E. from Great Lakes Bible College, the Th.M. and the Ph.D. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

About the Editors...

Anthony L. Ash, Ph.D., is professor of Biblical Studies at Abilene Christian University and minister at Minter Lane Church of Christ, Abilene, Texas. Dr. Ash holds the A.A. from Florida Christian College, the B.S. from Florida State University, the M.A. from Abilene Christian University, and the Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. He has authored nine books including commentaires on Luke, Acts (Chapters 1-12), Psalms (with Clyde Miller), and Jeremiah & Lamentations. He has spoken at over 400 meetings and extended lectureships and has also spoken on over 45 college and university campuses.

Jack Cottrell, Ph.D., is professor of Theology at Cincinnati Bible Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Cottrell holds the A.B. from Cincinnati Bible Seminary, the A.B. from the University of Cincinnati, the M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and the Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. He has authored nine books including What the Bible Says About God the Redeemer, What the Bible Says About God the Ruler, What the Bible Says About God the Creator, and Gender Roles and the Bible: Creation, The Fall and Redemption.